liberalism

noun

lib·​er·​al·​ism ˈli-b(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: the quality or state of being liberal

2

a

often capitalized : a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity

b

: a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard (see gold standard sense 1)

c

: a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy (see autonomy sense 2) of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties

specifically : such a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities (such as those involving race, gender, or class)

d

capitalized : the principles and policies of a Liberal (see liberal entry 1 sense 6b) party

liberalist

ˈli-b(ə-)rə-list 

noun or adjective

liberalistic

ˌli-b(ə-)rə-ˈli-stik 

adjective

Synonyms

• left
• leftism
• left wing

Example Sentences

liberalism had always claimed to stand for the greatest social good

Recent Examples on the Web

Norrie denied his report was an attack on liberalism and another shot in the culture wars. —Ian Leonard, Fox News, 17 Jan. 2023

Both advocated what now looks like a pompous and naive consensus liberalism, but neither categorized politics outside the mainstream as fascist. —D.g. Hart, WSJ, 20 Nov. 2022

This potent intergenerational debate drama about liberalism in academia represents the serious-minded, socially engaged side of Shakman’s sensibility. —Charles Mcnulty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022

Modern liberalism’s advancement of efficiency and corporate interests, under the intellectual guise of human flourishing, have contributed to this problem. —WSJ, 1 Nov. 2022

Yet these deals didn’t dilute his authority as liberalism’s voice. —David Greenberg, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2023

That, Röpke said, was why liberalism rejected the oppression of people because of their race or religion. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 2 Feb. 2023

From Adam Smith to Isaiah Berlin, believers in liberalism brought the author out of his early socialism to disenchantment with the Cuban Revolution — and on to an abiding belief in democracy’s role in protecting freedom. —Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2022

His great novels are dramas of dissent, of conscience, but without liberalism. —Ben Lerner, The New York Review of Books, 29 Dec. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

see liberal entry 1

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

liberalism

noun

lib·​er·​al·​ism ˈlib(-ə)-rə-ˌliz-əm 

: a political belief stressing progress, the essential goodness of humankind, and individual freedom